More than 40 FAMU School of Journalism Graphic and Communication Interns head for Media Outlets across the USA and Canada
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – More than 40 students from Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC) will work as interns in media companies, public relation firms and other institutions across the United States and Canada this summer.

“This is an indication that the Office of Internship and Placement has become more visible to the students, and students are taking its services seriously,” said Yanela Gordon, SJGC’s director of Internship and Placement. “Our students are understanding the importance of internships and they are registering for internship credit and that is a good thing.”

Gordon worked with Delisha Peterson, an adjunct graphics instructor and web designer, to launch www.sjgc-oip.com, a Web site to increase awareness among students and potential employers of various internship and job placement opportunities.

As a result, SJGC students will gain experience coast-to-coast in both the private and public sectors.

Some students are drawn to major cities. Chantell Black, a broadcast journalism student from Brooklyn, NY, is an entertainment news intern at CNN in New York City.

“I’m excited to have this opportunity,” said Black. “I received the offer after going to the Journalism Career Fair last October. It is a great way to get into the industry.”

Ebonie Barnes, a magazine production student from Fort Pierce, Fla., will work at Essence Magazine in New York City. Georgia Dawkins, a broadcast journalism student from Sebring, Fla., is a UNITY Fellow at ABCNews.com in New York City. Akeem Anderson, a newspaper journalism student and editor-in-chief of The Famuan from Chicago, will intern at Fox 2 in Detroit. Monique Mitchell, a broadcast student from Miami, Fla., is a news intern at Fox 5 News in Atlanta. Ghislaine Lewis, a journalism graduate student, will work with Lead America on a journalism teaching assignment in Washington, D.C.

Some students are venturing as far away as Canada or the west coast. Jamell Watson, a journalism graduate student from New York, will work with Alexandra Park Community Center in Toronto. Alyssa Watts, a public relations student from Washington, will work at Nordstrom’s Marketing Department in Bellvue, Washington.

Rockhelle Johnson, a journalism graduate student from Auburndale, Fla., said she’s looking forward to working as a public/congressional affairs intern for the National Nuclear Security Administration.

“As an intern I will assist the public affairs director with writing press releases, attending town meetings, press conferences, managing the Nevada web site, and producing promotional materials such as video, brochures and tour guides for site tours,” said Johnson. “For me, this internship is a shoe into the world of public affairs. As my interest in government and congressional affairs heightens, so will my experience. And I will have the Department of Energy to thank.”

Others are finding opportunities in small and medium-sized markets. Erica Anderson, a broadcast journalism graduate student from Claremont, Calif., will intern at WEIU-TV in Charleston, Ill. Kisha Payne of Miami and Tiffany Watts of Tallahassee, both public relations students, will work with Cumulus Broadcasting in Tallahassee.

Catherine Segar, a spring 2008 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, will work with General Motors in Detroit. Ayanna Shields, a public relations student from Orlando, will work with Edelman in Atlanta.

Some students have chosen to stay in the Sunshine State. Anthony Anamelechi, a newspaper journalism student from Washington, D.C., was selected as a Chips Quinn Scholar. He will work at The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla. Courtney Henderson, a magazine production student from Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., will work at the Capital Outlook. Jessie Christie, a magazine production student from Tallahassee, will work at Tallahassee Magazine. Joshua Smith, a newspaper journalism student from Stone Mountain, Ga., and Joshua King, a newspaper journalism student from Jacksonville, Fla., will work at the Tallahassee Democrat.
About the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication
The School of Journalism and Graphic Communication was founded in 1982. Its Division of Journalism was the first journalism program at a historically black university to be nationally accredited by the ACEJMC. It offers four journalism sequences: newspaper, magazine production, broadcast (radio and television) and public relations.